Hadi Mathal Sentenced for Attack on Salman Rushdie

Hadi Mathal, a man who attempted to murder British-American author Salman Rushdie during a lecture in New York, has been sentenced to a maximum of 25 years in prison.

The 26-year-old was convicted in February for attempted murder and assault after he attacked the 77-year-old Rushdie at the Chautauqua Institute in August 2022. This act was linked to an old “fatwa,” a legal opinion issued by a recognized religious authority in Islam.

Before his sentencing, Mathal, who had been vocal about pro-Palestinian sentiments during the trial, made a statement regarding free speech. He received a seven-year sentence specifically for the attempted murder of Rushdie and for injuring another person who was on stage at the time.

District Attorney Jason Schmidt emphasized that the sentences would be served consecutively, as both victims suffered injuries during the same incident.

Rushdie, speaking out against the brutal attack, recounted his fear during the assault, saying he felt he was dying as Mathal stabbed him “more than a dozen times.” Strikingly, video footage shown in court illustrated the moment Mathal approached Rushdie and began the attack, with the audience witnessing the horrifying scene until bystanders intervened.

As a result of the attack, Rushdie has now lost vision in one eye and suffers from nerve and liver damage. He discussed his recovery journey in his 2024 book, “Knife,” explaining that he spent 17 days at Pennsylvania Hospital followed by over three weeks in a rehabilitation clinic in New York City.

Although born in the U.S., Mathal maintains his Lebanese citizenship and is currently facing federal charges related to terrorism. Authorities revealed that he planned to execute an old fatwa, allegedly intending to call for Rushdie’s death when he left his home in Fairview, New Jersey, to carry out the attack.

Mathal has pleaded not guilty to three counts of engaging in cross-border terrorism and attempting to support Hezbollah.